260 130 VLD Troubles

[trailrider121]

I've been working on a load for my Criterion Savage 24" 260 barrel using 130 vld hunting projectiles. All testing was done at 109 yards, do to only range close by and because of our current fire danger restrictions. I found a stable node around 44.0- 44.6 grs of H4340 in Lapua 260 brass and wolf LR primers. I went back out to the range to test 44.3grs,and some seating depths and found .080" to .100" shot best around .6 to .7" groups (2.870" COAL.080" off lands). Nothing great about groups, so went back again to work around .080" and nothing better than .6" groups with always two touching and one out.

So I was about to drop H4350 however, everyone says its the powder for the 260. I went ahead and changed a component in my load; thinking why I'm I get a flier when I know its not me. I went with a primer change from Wolf Large Rifle primer to a CCI-200 primer. I only loaded 3 rounds, cause I really don't want to waste any more time with it. The 3 shot group went into little cluster .3".

I plan to retest one more time with the CCI primer load and see what happens. Has anyone had problems with 130 VLD's and should I pay any attention to my 100 yard groups? I know 100 yard don't mean squat and plan to shoot at least 800 yards.

If the CCI -200 load don't work, going to drop powder and either try Ramshot Hunter or H4831SC.

 

[6.5guy]

I have a lot of experience with the 260 and I say try the H4831sc. I shoot it with a 140 berger and 45.2 grains powder with CCI 250 primers. Shooting the 130 try 45-47 grains H4831sc about .010 off the lands and you should be in business. My 260 will shoot 5 shots in the same hole with the 140 and H4831sc. This powder was made for the 260. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[trailrider121]

Thanks for the input, and info. H4831 is going to be my next powder choice if H4350 does not work out.

 

[Dan Newberry]

load 39 grains of Varget. problem solved.

some are using 4064, but work up to 39 grains of 4064 from 37.5 grains.

you'll be a believer.

 

[427Cobra]

With the lighter pills Varget will work, BUT IMHO your jumping too far, VLDs like to be at or in the lands, I know some people have had luck jumping but not me, switch to a jump tolerant pill like a SMK, 4831sc works great but not as well as H4350.

 

[trailrider121]

Thanks Dan for the info. I will try Varget once its available. Currently I don't have either of those powders, and powder is non existent around here.Maybe my friends might have some Varget.

However, I went to the range this morning with revised loads. I shot my first 44.5grs. load with CCI-200 primers. It was not that great. Another member here on the hide told me to use that same load at .010" off the lands; Bingo I have progress now. The .010" off the lands load went .4" with 5 rounds and 2890 avg speed with 12ES/7SD

Finally something, but will confirm it on next outing. Needs to repeat, but I think it will.

load 39 grains of Varget. problem solved.

some are using 4064, but work up to 39 grains of 4064 from 37.5 grains.

you'll be a believer.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I tried H4831sc with 140 gr Bergers and couldn't get the velocity above 2680 due to powder compression. May the lot of powder I had was low-powered.

 

[lesterv]

Try RL-17 and park those Berger bullets on the lands. I shoot CCI BR-2 or F-210 match primers and Lapua brass.

Good luck!

 

[trailrider121]

lesterv, welcome to the hide.

With the help of Hondo64, I got my load working pretty well. I ended with the Berger 130 vld with .010 off the lands. Going to load a bunch and try them down range.

 

[6.5guy]

What powder did you settle on?

 

[trailrider121]

I ended up using H4350.

 

[trailrider121]

Well I went out and shot my 260 using H4350 and the 130 VLD's at 437 yards one day, and two days later at 551 yards. H4350 shot great at 100, and 200 yards; however, anything after 300 yards not so great. The conditions were a little warm 80-90 degrees and a little wind 3-5 mph, and around 1460 alt.

I tried seating depths from jammed .005" to .080" off the lands, and nothing shot great. I was getting 3/4 to little over MOA, and some showed a little promise but nothing special. Vertical was not that great as well ( 3" avg), and got fliers every once in awhile, but that's probably me . Anyways, I found a can of IMR 4064 per Dan Newberry's recommendation, and figured what the hell I'll try it out. So I pressure checked from 37grs to 39grs using IMR 4064 with my 130 vld's and using my best COL , bingo was I surprised. Very little vertical about 1" or less and was get half MOA easy. I played around a little with seating depth but found my best COL worked best. It kept vertical around 3/4" to 1" and group size at half MOA on two different days and temps.

Forgot to mention that I got 2853 avg speed and 19 ES/ 12 SD with 9 shots. I'll post targets soon!

My current load:

130 VLD Hunting
Lapua Brass using .292 bushing
CCI-200 primer
IMR 4064 @ 39grs.
.008" off the lands / 2.282" with comparator


Well Dan Newberry, I'm a believer and THANK YOU for your suggestion. Now to go hunting and find that buck!

437 yards / first go around testing.


551 yard target / 5 shots

 

[Dan Newberry]

I'm glad that worked out... I do think that with the 260, the 6.5 CM and the 6.5x47 the 4350 powders take a back seat to Varget and 4064.

My guess is Hornady never thought to try the faster powders, which is why they recommend 4350 rather than Varget or 4064 in the Creedmoor...

But from all we've seen and done, these cartridges are liking the powder a bit faster than the 4350 genre...

 

[groundhogbuster]

I have got to try this, as I don't think H4350 is the #1 powder for the 260. I have shot, 139 Scenars, 140 Hybrids, 136 Scenars, and now 130 VLD's, and in every case H4831sc has been the best powder. I love the 4831sc in the VLD, Hybrid, because I don't have "crunch" so much powder as the Scenar's, but it does suck that I'm not getting the vel with the 139's that I'd like. I have never even thought of 4064 or Varget for the 260, but will try soon. But to be completely fair I've had Krieger barreled 260's that love the H4350, but this one just doesn't. I've got 4064 and Varget, is there one that's a bit better?